Here’s our A-Z guide to the 2021 O’Keefe Challenge:

Accommodation

Looking for a place to stay pre- or post-race?
Find a bed in Bendigo:
Find a bed in Heathcote:

 

Aid Stations

We have water, energy gels, lollies, first aid and portable toilets available on the run courses. Please check the website for specific locations. These stations are manned by awesome volunteer community groups.

 

App

Download the ‘SportSplits’ app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and look-up ‘The O’Keefe Challenge’.
Within the app, you’ll find maps, live results and event news.

 

Bib Collection

Race Bibs will be available for collection at each start line from one hour prior to each event.
  • Night Ride: Axedale / Bendigo.
  • Marathon & Ekiden Relay: Junortoun
  • Half Marathon & Mini-Eki: Knowsley
  • 10km, 5km, 1km, 500m: Barrack Reserve.

 

Bus to start line

Marathon: Departs Heathcote 6:15am sharp
Half Marathon: Departs Heathcote 7:40am sharp.
Please note you must have pre-booked a seat online and you must wear a mask on the bus.

 

Bag Drop

We ask that you provide your gear in your own labelled, zipped “Woolworths-style” bag where practical.
We will have some basic bag tags available for you to write your name / bib number on.
We will collect these bags from the Marathon start line (Junortoun) and the Half Marathon start line (Knowsley) and drop them at Barrack Reserve for collection later.
Bag collection will be manned by volunteers from the Heathcote Dementia Alliance.
Current weather forecast is for cool and potentially wet conditions, so please prepare appropriately.

 

Coffee

Huzzah! There’ll be coffee at the Marathon start line (Junortoun) and at Barrack Reserve.

 

COVIDSafe Information

All athletes, spectators, volunteers and officials at Barrack Reserve and our start line areas MUST adhere to our six step COVIDSafe plan.

 

Cut Off

All courses will close at 3:00pm.
The Race Director and Event Management team will liaise with any athletes still on course to ensure they are safe and able to reach family and friends.

 

Dress Ups!

Dress ups and bright costumes are encouraged and welcomed for our Friday Night Social Ride and the 500m Superhero Kids Dash!

 

Event Schedule

Please check and review the event schedule here:

 

Finisher Medals

Every finisher in events 5km and longer will receive a Finishers Medal.

 

Lights

If you are participating in the night ride, you will need to have decent white forward-facing lighting on your bike of a sufficient level for you to see the Trail in full darkness without the help of others. We recommend around 300 lumens.
At least one red rear light is mandatory on all bikes.
Pre-ride checks will be conducted by the Ride Coordination team to ensure bikes have lights and working brakes.

 

Maps

Maps are available for download on each of the relevant pages, including interactive maps with .gpx files that can be downloaded to your Garmin or mobile phone.

 

Merch

We have t-shirts, singlets, running visors and caps available to buy pre-event and on the day. Visit:

 

Presentations

Presentations will be held at 8:30pm on the Friday.
Presentations will be held at 11:30am on the Sunday.
Please note this year for the running events we’ll ONLY be presenting Awards to the overall 1st, 2nd and 3rd placegetters. Medals for age group winners will be posted out after the event.
We have

 

Relay teams

We have 30 relay teams signed up and ready to run!
If you’re a relay team captain and need to complete your teams, please find the access link in your registration email or get in touch with us for help.

 

Results

We will have timing locations at the Marathon startline, Axedale,  Knowsley, Derrinal and the Finish line.
All results will be published here:

 

Social Media and Strava

Hashtag your pics on social media – #okeefechallenge

Sponsors

Yes, we have them and they are amazing. We really couldn’t do this without them. Here they are, please do visit their websites to find out more about them:

Gold Sponsor:

Mandalay Resources

Major Sponsors:

Connallys Real Estate
Fosterville Gold Mine

Supporting Sponsors:

Kilmore Racing Club
The Bendigo Club
Emu Downs Contracting
RUC Mining
Villawood Properties
Heathcote Lions Club
Easy Tow Boat Trailers
Ben Stolz Myotherapy

 

Visit Bendigo and Heathcote

While you’re here, see the Mary Quant Exhibition at the Bendigo Art Gallery, enjoy a wine tasting in and around Heathcote or enjoy the Central Deborah Gold Mine.

 

Zzz

Yep, it will be time for a sleep and some zzz’s when the Challenge has been run and won!